Alright, I have an s-5 alt, and I'm doing a FULL re-wire. I was wondering what the L terminal does? I know it hits the warning lights, but I'm taking them out. So is there any important purpose for it?

 

Provides 12V for the fields, and provides the sense wire for the warning lights.

Rat

 

So if you run without warning lights, you can run without hooking up the L terminal?

If not where could I wire it to if I don't have warning lights?

 

Look at the FSM and trace the wiring for it, figure out what it goes to? I suspect it goes to one of the switched 12v lines, but I'm not 100% on that.

Also, running without warning lights? You've got bigger ***** than I do...

-=Russ=-

 

This may help:

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...ernator+wiring

 

Let me clarify..

The "Sense" wire TRIPS the warning lights when there is a problem. It does not provide 12 Volts to power the warning lights.

 

On a series five, when the alternator isn't putting out, L puts a ground on the warning light circuit to turn on all the warning lights (sort of a malfunction light test circuit). When the alt puts out, the ground from the L terminal goes south and the warning lights turn out. The lights will still turn on if there is a problem with a individual circuit, like the door being ajar.

On a series four, the L puts a ground on a relay in the CPU which in turn puts a ground on the warning light circuit (alternator not putting out). When the alt starts putting out, the ground from L goes south and the lights turn off unless a individual warning circuit has a problem.

Frankly, on a series five alt, I don't think the L does much worthwhile except effect the warning lights. I could be wrong.....again. On a series four the L does matter and effects more than the idiot light circuit. I own a series four. Take it for what its worth.

 

I understand that, and I was just wondering if I can run without it. I'll try running with out it. It should work from what I picked up hear.